I Knew What I Was Worth. So Why Did I Accept Less?

I knew what I was worth, but I still accepted less. Years ago, I hired someone onto my team who made about $10K more than me. I knew the difference bothered me, but I convinced myself it was okay. I had the title. I had visibility. I had a seat at the table. And I told myself it was too late to negotiate. Then my VP asked me one question: “Do you feel he’s more valuable than you?” My answer was immediate: no. That conversation changed the way I think about salary negotiation, self-advocacy, knowing your worth, and asking for what you deserve at work. Since then, I’ve negotiated at every job I’ve had, and I’ve never been told no. That doesn’t mean you’ll always get everything you ask for. It means you don’t know what someone is willing to do for you until you ask. That day it was money. Another day it might be time, flexibility, opportunity, support, or access. You may know your worth, but are you advocating for it? About CultivateHER CultivateHER, presented by BWCultivates®, is for women who know they have something to say, something to contribute, and something more in them — but don’t always trust themselves enough to act on it. Through real stories, hard-earned lessons, and honest conversations, CultivateHER explores voice, confidence, identity, leadership, purpose, and the experiences that shape how women show up in their lives. CultivateHER is about making room for more of what was already there. More trust in yourself. More willingness to say what you mean. More courage to act on what you know. And more freedom to become who you know you’re capable of being. About Brittany W. Brittany W. is a speaker, business leader, creator of BWCultivates, and host of CultivateHER. Drawing from her professional and personal experiences, Brittany shares lessons from the rooms she’s navigated, the risks she’s taken, the things she’s gotten right, the things she’s gotten wrong, and what those experiences have taught her about voice, confidence, leadership, identity, and trusting what you carry. She doesn’t claim to have all the answers. CultivateHER is built on the belief that sometimes hearing how another woman navigated something you’re navigating is enough to help you see your own way forward. Subscribe for new CultivateHER episodes every other week. #CultivateHER #SelfAdvocacy #SalaryNegotiation #WomenAtWork #WomensLeadership Stay connected LinkedIn —   / brdward   Speaking Inquiries — info@bwcultivates.com Resources Embracing You — https://a.co/d/04PguVz0